With over 12 million Australians taking international trips last year, it’s clear that travel is back in full swing! From the tropical beaches of Indonesia to the bustling streets of Tokyo, Aussies are exploring some incredible destinations. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) latest data has revealed the most popular travel destination for Aussie travellers in the last financial year. 

So where are Aussies travelling? It should be no surprise that Indonesia was the most popular destination, with 1.74 million Australians making the trip in the last year! Followed by New Zealand, Japan, the United States, and China.

But with these dream destinations come travel costs. But how much should you realistically budget for your getaway? We've crunched the numbers on how much Aussies are actually taking with them on their travels to give you ballpark figures to keep in mind. 

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Indonesia 

As we mentioned above, Indonesia was the hottest travel destination for Aussies last year. From Bali to Ubud, Indonesia has something for all types of travellers without breaking the bank. 

Aussies jetting off to Indonesia typically take about $450 AUD in spending money. This isn’t for flights or accommodation, but the fun stuff like food, getting around, adventures, and maybe a cheeky souvenir or two.

While we don’t know exactly how long each trip lasts, here’s a simple example of how that money could be split up based on typical travel costs:

Food & Drinks: Enjoy a few delicious local meals like nasi goreng (fried rice) for about $3-$5 AUD each or fresh tropical fruit smoothies for $2-$3 AUD.

Transport: If you didn't rent a scooter, did you really travel to Indonesia? Rent a scooter for around $7-$10 AUD per day or take short taxi rides within Bali for $5-$10 AUD each.

Activities & Tours: Book a day trip to Ubud’s rice terraces and monkey forest for about $30-$50 AUD, or a snorkeling tour around Nusa Lembongan for roughly $60 AUD. Prices for these activities can vary depending on your location, so we recommend researching on TripAdvisor or Viator. 

New Zealand 

Whether you're planning a ski trip in Queenstown or North Island road trip, New Zealand is a popular place for us Aussies to visit. With flights only around three hours, it’s practically in our backyard.

So how much does it cost? Aussies typically pack around $600 AUD to holiday in New Zealand. Whether it’s chasing waterfalls, trying the local food, or ticking off those epic hikes, this is the money you’ll use to make the most of it all.

Trips vary in length, but here’s a handy way to think about splitting that budget across the things you’ll want to spend on:

Food & Drinks: Grab a delicious breakfast at a cafe for $15-$20 AUD, enjoy fish and chips for about $20 AUD, and sample local craft beers for $8-$12 AUD. 

Transport: Rent a car for the day, starting at around $30 AUD (sometimes less!) or use shuttle buses starting at $50 per trip between towns.

Activities & Tours: Book a guided hike or wildlife tour starting at $50 AUD or unwind with a winery visit that won't cost a fortune.

Japan 

Ah, Japan — we love you. From neon-lit city streets to peaceful temples and incredible food, it's a feast for the senses. It’s no surprise Japan landed on the list of top destinations for Aussie travellers. With endless things to see and do (and plenty of ways to keep it budget-friendly), Japan really does tick all the boxes.

Speaking of funds, Australians typically budget around $700 AUD for spending money when they head to Japan. While trip lengths can vary, here is a simple way to think about dividing that budget across the essentials:

Food & Drinks: Enjoy sushi sets for $10-$20 AUD, ramen bowls for $8-$15 AUD, and try street snacks like taiyaki for $3-$5 AUD. 

Transport: Buy a prepaid transit card for city trains or buses (around $20 AUD/day) or use a Japan Rail Pass for longer journeys (averages $30-$40 AUD per day).

Activities & Tours: Visit temples and gardens for entry fees around $5-$15 AUD or take a guided cultural experience like a tea ceremony for $30-$60 AUD. 

United States 

Australians love to visit The Big Apple, and we can see why. The United States is packed with iconic cities, famous landmarks, and endless experiences. 

It's no secret that the US can be an expensive travel destination. Aussies travelling there typically take around $1,200 AUD in spending money. Since trips can vary widely in length and style, here is an example of how that budget might be spread out: 

Food & Drink: Grab a quick meal at a food truck for $10-$15 AUD, dine at casual restaurants for $20-$40 AUD per meal, or enjoy coffee and snacks for $5-$10 AUD. General reference 

Transport: Use public transit passes in cities like New York or Chicago costing $30-$40 AUD per week, or rent a car starting at just $15 AUD per day (depending on city).

Activities & Tours: Buy tickets for city tours, museums, or theme parks ranging from $25 to over $100 AUD.*

*Keep in mind transport costs in the US can vary a lot depending on where you go. If you’re visiting big cities, public transport and ride-shares might keep costs down, but renting a car or travelling between cities could be more expensive.

China 

Last but not least, China was a popular hotspot for travellers last year. From the Great Wall to bustling markets and incredible street food, China offers a huge range of experiences. 

Aussies usually bring about $500 AUD in spending money to cover everyday costs. Trips differ in length and style, but here is a simple example of how that budget might be spread out:

Food & Drink: Try street food like dumplings or baozi for under $5 AUD, enjoy meals at local restaurants for $10-$15 AUD, or sip bubble tea for about $3-$5 AUD. 

Transport: Use local buses or metro for under $2 AUD per trip, or take high-speed trains between cities for $20-$50 AUD depending on distance.

Activities & Tours: Visit landmarks such as the Forbidden City or Terracotta Warriors with entry fees around $10-$30 AUD, or join a guided walking tour for about $40 AUD. 

Now that you have an idea of what Aussies are budgeting for their trips, you can plan your own adventure with confidence. Whether you are tasting local dishes in Japan, exploring the great outdoors in New Zealand, or discovering hidden gems in the United States, having a budget helps you enjoy every moment without stressing about money.

^Disclaimer:

^{This blog is provided for information only and does not take into consideration your objectives, financial situation or needs. Travel Money Oz has sought to ensure that the information is true and correct at the time of publication (First Published August 27th, 2025). Prices, details and services are subject to change without notice, and Travel Money Oz accepts no responsibility or liability for any such changes, including any loss resulting from any action taken or reliance made by you on any information provided. You should consider whether the information and suggestions contained in any blog entry are appropriate for you, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs. While we take reasonable care in providing the blog, we give no warranties or representations that it is complete or accurate or is appropriate for you. We are not liable for any loss caused, whether due to negligence or otherwise, arising from use of, or reliance on, the information and/or suggestions contained in this blog. All prices are approximations. Your costs may differ depending on where you go, where you shop, and their individual factors.}